Thursday, May 27, 2010

Hey people! Sorry for the lack of updates to the blog. I have been on vacation and frankly need some time away from everything. Also, I have been getting absolutely bombarded with review requests and am trying to figure out how to deal with them all. I still think people think I have 10 people "working" for me. Anyways, I'll be back next Tuesday for a "New Band To Burn One To" for you all.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

"The band Skraeckoedlan (translates into The Dinosaur or The Horror Lizard) from Norrköping Sweden, got together and started playing music in the late spring of 2009.

It was decided that the band was to play groovy, heavy music with lyrics in swedish.

In september of 2009 the band went to Örebro in Sweden to record their first EP, "Flykten från Tellus" (The Escape from Earth), in Bombshelter Studios with Oskar Cedermalm of Swedish band Truckfigthers as producer/technician.

The result was a 5 track EP with an abstract concept concerning the enviromental issues we face here on planet Earth, with the temperatures rising and the polar ices melting, forests beeing cut down and urban civilization spreading out.

In the EP the rising temperatures leads to a big horror lizard being thawed from one of the polar ice caps. The lizard begins to demolish the entire human civilization."

Here's a surprise, another freakin' awesome Stoner Rock band from Sweden. Following in the footsteps of fellow Swedish bands such as Dozer, Truckfighters, Abramis Brama, etc. the band has managed to create a masterful blend of groove heavy psychedelic Stoner Rock. Nothing utterly unique here people, just straight to your face rock and fuckin' roll.Can you dig it?

"they sing in their native tongue and rock like a trio of northern woodsmen from outer space, heroes in the epic quest to best the beast. Christ, between Dungen and Skraeckoedlan, I am starting to get spoiled on foreign language rock, and why not? In this particular case, we’re treated to what sounds like medieval, alien dopespeak urging on the psychedelic juggernaut of heavy fuzz that rolls over you like a cosmic tempest."
- http://www.brokenbeard.com/

"Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7:45 a.m. [on Sunday] 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away.

"Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all.

"We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us.

"Please give us a few days of privacy to deal with this terrible loss.

"Please know he loved you all and his music will live on forever."

It was only a month ago that Dio, 67, spoke about his battle with cancer with the Artisan News Service on the "black carpet" of the Revolver Golden Gods Awards, which took place on April 8 at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles. When asked about how he had been feeling since he was diagnosed with the disease late last year, Dio said, "Well, I feel good and bad at times. It's a long process. Chemotherapy is a... I never realized what a difficult thing it was to go through. It's a real cumulative effect — the more you have, the more it piles up on top and it takes longer and longer to get over it. I find it very difficult to eat. I don't like to eat anyway, so I guess that's OK. But I know I have to. But this makes it very, very hard. But if you're determined to beat it, then you have to go with what you believe is going to beat it for you, and in this case it's that. I go to a great hospital in Houston called M.D. Anderson, which I think is the best hospital in the world, I have the best doctor in the world, Dr. Ajani, who I really trust and I really believe in, so I think I've done all the right things. It makes me feel positive about my life and positive that there is a lot more of it to live."

Earlier this month, HEAVEN & HELL canceled its summer tour plans in Europe due to Dio's treatment for stomach cancer. The band said in a statement that Dio wasn't "well enough to tour this summer. We hope that everyone understands and want to thank fans and industry colleagues for their continuing support at this time."

Born Ronald James Padavona in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Ronnie James Dio had performed with ELF, RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH, and his own band DIO. Other musical projects included the collective fundraiser "Hear 'n Aid". He is widely hailed as one of the most powerful singers in heavy metal, renowned for his consistently powerful voice and for popularizing the "devil's horns" hand gesture in metal culture. He was most recently involved with HEAVEN & HELL, a project which also included former BLACK SABBATH bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice. Their first and only studio album, "The Devil You Know", was released on April 28, 2009.

In April, Dio appeared at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles to accept the award for "Best Vocalist." As members of ALICE IN CHAINS presented the award to him, the crowd chanted, "Dio! Dio! Dio! Dio!"

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The "New Band To Burn One To" today is "The Guilt Brothers Experience".

"From the depth of an erupting volcano to the quiet cold of a lost galaxy...

From a murmuring introspection to ecstatic trance...

The journey to which The Guilty Brothers Experience conveys you is personal and universal...

Probing the recesses of the human soul and depicting musically the crossed states...

Their "Electrical Cauldron" slides on the borders of styles to free a captivating and multi faceted style of rock music, touched here and there with East or Blues , never avoiding any experimentation....

Their first album, "TGBE!", was co-produced by Rudy Coclet (Arno, Sharko,...), will delight fans of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Queens of the Stone Age or The Mars Volta."

Thursday, May 6, 2010

"In December 1999 New Zealand's DATURA, one of Australasia's most promising Acid-Stoner-Doom bands split up. After releasing the amazing "Visions for the Celestial" the band trailed off into oblivion never to be seen again, only Craig Williamson, the bass player & vocalist survived....continuing alone as one of the country's best known psychedelic artifacts LAMP OF THE UNIVERSE. In 2008, feeling the need to get back into a more "heavy stoner acid rock" direction Williamson formed ARC OF ASCENT, recruiting firstly Guitarist Matt Cole-Baker and then Drummer John Strange to complete the line-up. "Circle of the Sun" is the band's debut album and continues onwards almost exactly where Daturas "Visions" left off. The heaviness is still present, but there is an added otherworldly texture dwelling inside, the guitars are dense and direct in feel -with an Egyptian sounding slant to Matt Cole-Bakers cosmic solos, the drumming powerful, solid and dynamic...and Williamson's "Eastern" vibes raise their head in almost every song, vocally, with the extra exotic instruments he brings to the table, and the music he has written for the group. Titles such as "Universal Form" & "Cosmic Eye" re-enforce the eastern-mystic feel the band creates, lyrically recalling Williamson's Lamp of the Universe style, blending almost seamlessly with the majestic heaviness and trippy interludes that the band creates...Take a hit, re-call your inner light, and enjoy the sound of a new beginning....the time is now.... "

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Hey people, I have been throwing around the idea of putting together a CD of tunes for charity. The money would not only go to a good cause, but would also be a great way to get the word out about your band. I would like to see what kind of response I get before actually putting the details together. I would like to get around 15-20 bands on the CD(s) if not more and charge $10 with all proceeds going to charity. My wife is an artist and is excited about designing the artwork for the CD. If you are interested please send me an e-mail with a high quality MP3 and a brief bio on your band. I will only accept bands that fall into the Stoner Rock/Sludge/Psychedelic/Doom categories. I will review each band before inclusion on the CD. If anyone has any suggestions such as a certain charity please send them to me. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Peace! \mm/

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

"Maltross is an instrumental stoner metal trio from Peoria, IL. Mixing elements of ambiance as well as a strong punk influence, Maltross creates an atmosphere of crushing sound that emulates the groove of the early 1970’s. Following a strict DIY ethic, Maltross has self-released a demo on cd-r and an ep on cassette. Their most recent release is a split with Quad City, Illinois destroyers, Lord Green. Released on January 1st, 2010 by Rusty Axe Records. The split is limited to 100 green tapes and 300 white tapes. Maltross is currently working on a full length cd, to be released on Rusty Axe in July of 2010."

Review:

"The split begins with Lord Green pulverizing your very being with three morsels of their unique brand of Stoner Punk. The riffs are tasty and the punk is raunchy. The split continues with Maltross punching you in the face with a few grimey 70's influenced sludgy stoner rock gems.